Chéri heard words and heard intentions. The intentions were good, the words pointless. If they suddenly shifted their act, Darius would actually start to believe they were pretending. And that was counterproductive. No, they weren’t going to do that. “I am sorry,” they said again, instead, covering their mouth, as if overwhelmed. Darius shook his head. Of course, accepting compliments would have been too much. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t want more. “But… that is how I feel..” they said, their voice becoming small again as if they were let down by the fact that he didn't believe their very sincere feelings.

Chéri lowered their eyes at the answer “I want you to kiss me. Is it so absurd to believe that I, too, wish for someone and want and desire? I know I played the object of desire act. I know. It looks good on me, it gets me far, but I too have a heart, a body, and a head filled with images of what would feel good. And beautiful. And I can’t stop thinking just… how warm your lips must feel. You are so good at… seeing me. Not just looking at me. It feels good. It feels close. I am not used to that,” they totally were. They had said these words many many times before, but they worked, so why not use them again? Chéri wasn’t one for words, but they knew their part. This part required them.

“I apologise, I shouldn’t have asked. I said too much” It was now time for reticence. Like waltz, one forward, one back, turn. “I just wish… I wish you could believe me…” they bit their lower lip, making it redder by the reaction. “But I know it is hard,” maybe Darius enjoyed self-pitying when others did it too.